Which tech jobs are in high demand?

November 14, 2011|By Eric Presley | CareerBuilder.com

Despite high unemployment, many employers are still finding it difficult to recruit skilled workers. According to CareerBuilder's 2011 midyear hiring forecast, 50 percent of employers reported concerns about the shortage of skills at their organizations, up from 48 percent who reported the same in 2010.

The functional area where employers continuously see the largest skills gap is information technology. That's a testament to the field's rapid growth.

For those who do have the right skills set, information technology can provide great career opportunities. Here's a look at seven IT jobs that employers need to fill now.

1. C++ and Linux developer: This technology serves as the basis for mobile applications, so as mobile adoption continues to surge, workers with C++ and Linux skills will be in high demand.Active job seekers per opening: 1.35*

2. Web designer/SEO optimizer: Most consumers will only scroll through a page or two of search results when looking for a product or service on the Internet, so if a company doesn't appear at the top of the list, it can miss out on potential customers. Web designers who can create sites that are both consumer and search engine friendly will be most desirable to employers.Active job seekers per opening: 0.97

3. Software engineer: Good software developers are among the most sought-after workers in IT. Companies are willing to shell out for employees who know what they're doing, too. In the past year the average annual salary for software engineers has increased by 6 percent nationwide.Active job seekers per opening: 0.89

4. Database developer: According to InformationWeek's 2011 "State of Storage" survey, the amount of data companies produce grows by about 20 percent each year, with larger companies seeing annual data growth of up to 50 percent. More data means higher demand for those who know how to build, maintain and back up database systems.Active job seekers per opening: 0.6

5. Infrastructure engineer: Infrastructure engineers build and operate the technical framework of a company based around its business needs. They design and implement hardware, software, databases and computer networks. As companies continue to rely more heavily on technology, they'll increase reliance on the people who can build it.Active job seekers per opening: 0.5 (meaning there are two job openings for every active job seeker)

6. IT workers with security clearance: On top of the already specialized skillset required for IT workers, those who work on government projects surrounding classified or restricted information must also have federal security clearance. Because it costs government employers time and money to get security clearance for an employee, workers who are already cleared (i.e. military veterans) when they apply for government jobs will be attractive candidates.Active job seekers per opening: 0.42